Elgin Cathedral’s 800th anniversary celebrated

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is marking the 800th anniversary of the founding of Elgin Cathedral with a series of events this summer.

A two-day historical-themed event will take place over the weekend of Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July with entertainment for all the family, including living history and presentations bringing to life over eight-hundred years of history and exploring historical figures closely linked with the Cathedral. Activities include presentations on 13th century medieval calligraphy and brewing, the chance to hear from a 14th century stonemason and blacksmith who helped repair the cathedral after the attack by the Wolf of Badenoch, and tales from the lives of 16th century monks. Celebrating the history of the site and its stories, visitors can discover how this magnificent ecclesiastical site grew over the centuries as 800 years of one of Scotland’s most beautiful medieval buildings, is celebrated.

And on the 28 August, literature meets architecture, as one of Sherlock Holmes’ most renowned cases is being brought to life in the grounds of Elgin Cathedral with the Illyria theatre company’s entertaining adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles. The atmospheric ruins are sure to provide an unforgettable backdrop to an evening of mystery and intrigue!

Alongside these events, special 3D scans of some of the iconic stone carvings found at Elgin Cathedral are now available online at sketchfab.com meaning people can get closer to the history of the ‘Lantern of the North’ than ever before.

The Elgin 800 event will take place from 12 to 4pm on both days and is included with admission to the site. 

The Hound of the Baskervilles takes place at 7.30pm (doors 6.45pm). Tickets start at £12 and must be pre-booked.

We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.

Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Stòr are sub-brands of HES.

More about our communications office

Sign-up to receive our media releases

For further information, please contact:

Historic Environment Scotland Communications Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot